Sahara pays tax dues, Aamby Valley 'unsealed' after five hours

Barely five hours after the Maharashtra government sealed the Sahara India Pariwar's flagship Aamby Valley Resort for non-payment of tax, the company paid up the outstanding non-agriculture tax dues and the seal was broken here on Tuesday afternoon.

The company also termed as "illegal and high-handed approach" the sudden move to seal and close the resort's gates by the revenue department officials earlier this morning.

In a statement, the Sahara Group also contested the state government's claims of outstanding dues of around Rs.4.50 crore and said it has already paid up Rs.4.25 crore for the past two financial years, with a small outstanding of Rs.27,27,740 left.

For the current fiscal (2015-2016), it said that the outstanding amount was only Rs.2,26,13,870 for which it had 30 days time (till March 31).

However, at the insistence of the revenue department officials who sealed the project main gate and its administrative offices, Sahara Group made the full outstanding payments (Rs.2,53,41,610) by cheque on Tuesday itself.

The company also subsequently circulated the latest photos and videos of unrestricted entry-exit at its prestigious project near Lonavala hillstation in Pune district this evening.

Earlier, a team of officials swooped on the township to seal the property's main gates and its administrative sections, but the back entrance was kept open for the staffers and residents.

The officials also served a notice to the resort authorities to clear the alleged two-year old dues by March-end, failing which the government would initiate legal proceedings.

Aamby Valley, labelled a hill city paradise for the rich and famous, is spread across around 4,300 hectares of lush green hills with a large natural lake and three artificial lakes on the property in Pune district.

Constructed in 2003, it boasts of a private airstrip, an 18-hole golf course, premium chateaus, villas and bungalows, shopping plazas, boating and a good all-year round weather.